Question on siding installation on the gables?

I was in the process of refinancing my home and asked for addtional money to have new Hardi-Plank siding installed and a new roof. I, along with my loan officer requested to my contractor to include all funds necessary for the siding so the refinance would pay for everything to complete the work and have it done right. I even called the contractor from the bank in the loan office being specific to this point. As far as the plyboard he said the most I might need is one additional piece at $45. Well a subcontractor was here last night and said he would have to take down the gable sections and if there was no plyboard I would have to pay additionally for this. Seems like they would have discussed this ahead of time. I left a message about the misunderstanding and this morning the initial contractor apologized and said they were going to put the hardi plank over the gables. I left for work and upon returning they have removed the gables from 3 sides of my house and there are no plyboards there. ( I bought the house in 2004, built in 1973). The studs are now visable and they have already stapled the Tyvac directly to the studs on one side without any plyboard. So the financing already got off track now I'm concerned if this is the right way it should be done and if this would void the warrenty with no plyboard? Should I pay for the extra boards out of my pocket? Are they trying to take advantage of a single woman? I received referrals from two Engineers I work with to go with this contractor.

 

Sight unseen, here's another viewpoint. Is there OSB or plywood on the lower part of the house? Is the hardie installed over that? Did they include house wrap in the estimate, and was it used? How did they (or how will they) justify the indentation above the lower part with OSB/ply and the gable ends without OSB/ply? If no additional plywood is installed on the gable ends, there will be an indentation of the siding and it will look unsightly.
OSB costs less than $7 a sheet, so arrange for enough to be delivered for them to install on the gable ends, even if you have to pay for the OSB yourself. The labor should be absorbed by the contractor if he specifically told you it would be installed. I wouldnt install hardie plank over raw studs. It is not structural and will crack over time.

 

Good point. Thanks for replying. Now I'm wondering if there is plyboard under the vinyl siding on the rest of the house. They haven't wrapped this yet. House wrap was included in the pricing. Can they remove the tyvak they put up in the gables then put up the boards or put the boards up then go over it and then again with the tyvak? How costly will this be?

 

Contractor worked with me and communicated they will side the house anyway I prefer. It's going to come out good. Very happy with the Hardi-Plank. Thanks for your help.

 

Glad you and the contractor were able to come to an amiable agreement. It only makes sense to do it that way, and he probably knew it.